Best Wireless Adapter For Hacking in Kali Linux (2019 Review)

Last updated: Feb 6 2019

Today you'll learn which wireless adapter you should buy for hacking wifi networks using Kali Linux.

Before I begin, there's something you should know:

Not all wireless adapters are created equal and therefore compatible with Kali Linux. And the majority you'll find for sale aren't equipped with packet injection or monitor mode -- both of which are required for penetration testing wireless networks.

After doing some extensive research and reading via Kali Linux forums and other hacking-related communities. I went out and bought the top 3 most popular and most effective wifi adapters for Kali Linux.

Unlike most of the "best adapter" reviews you'll find online, I'll actually be sharing my experiences and what I've learned from using each adapter.

So without further ado..

The best and most effective wireless adapter specifically designed for hacking wifi are:

Chipsets That Support Packet Injection

Before you buy, check the chipset of the adapter.

The chipset is important as it will determine if it can support packet injection or monitor mode. If you're not sure what both modes are and why they're critical, I'll explain below please continue reading.

Here's a list of known chipsets that support monitor mode AND packet injection:

Atheros AR9271

Ralink RT3070

Ralink RT3572

NOTE: If your network adapter supports packet injection then it should also support monitor mode. However, there are many adapters that support monitor mode but not packet injection.

Packet injection and Monitor Mode Explained

To put simply, monitor mode is what you use to "sniff" or capture (encrypted) data transmitted by wireless routers and devices nearby. While packet injection is what you use to transmit data to those networks.

What is Monitor Mode?For listening/capturing.

Monitor mode allows you to capture data sent and received by wireless devices/networks nearby.

Without it, you can't see which devices are active and what's happening in a network.

What is Packet Injection?For transmitting/attacking.

Packet injection allows you to craft and inject or send data to wireless devices/networks nearby.

Without it, you can't intercept or manipulate any activity from within any network.

How To Identify Wifi Adapter Chipset

If you already have an adapter but you're not sure if the chipset is compatible, here's how to find out what chipset it uses.

NOTE: You need to have Kali Linux installed to perform this test.

If you don't have it installed, follow my step-by-step guide on how to run Kali Linux on a bootable USB stick/drive (no installation required, literally).

Install aircrack-ng suite (if you haven't already)

Run airmon-ng

sudo apt-get install aircrack-ng​airmon-ng

The result:

PRO TIP: You can also use the "lsusb" command which displays information about your USB ports and the devices connect to them, as well as the chipset used by your network adapter.

Best Wifi Adapters Compatible With Kali Linux (2019)

ALFA AWUS036NHA (Atheros AR9271)

Specifications

ChipsetAtheros AR9271

Wireless TypeIEEE 802.11b/g/n

Frequency2.4GHz

Data Rate150Mbps

InterfaceMini-USB 2.0

AntennaRemovable 5dBi antenna (RP-SMA connector)

OS SupportWindows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Linux

Security64/128-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2, TKIP, AES

My Review: ALFA AWUS036NHA

The AWUS036NHA is the best ALFA network adapter for packet injection. Coupled with its exceptional range, it can successfully de-authenticate clients from afar.

I found that, by using a shorter cable, it's able to reach more access points and increase the success rate of injections.

I found that, by using a shorter cable, it's able to reach more access points and increase the success rate of injections.

On occasion, when left on for long periods (24hrs+), it will randomly stop working.

UPDATE (2017): Before buying the TPLINK TL-WN722N, ask the seller for the version and/or chipset of the adapter. The newer WN722N (V2) does NOT support packet injection or monitor mode.

The TP-LINK TL-WN722N is the #1 best adapter for Kali Linux. It outperforms all other adapters in terms of packet injection quality and success rate.

Its range is average; however, I was able to boost it by swapping the antenna with an Alfa antenna.

People report having issues with the WN722N on VirtualBox not being recognized. For me, it worked just fine. Also, this thing has a fat ass. It might not fit if your USB slots are close to each other (see image of it on my raspberry pi).

As a final test, I wanted to see which adapter can successfully capture handshakes passively (without forcing a client to reconnect). So, I had all three adapters configured to listen in on the same channel and I left them airodump-ing for 24 hours.

The result?

As seen in the image above, the TL-WN722N was able to capture 6 while the AWUS036NHA captured 3.

If you're wondering why the AWUS036NH is not up there, it's because it wasn't able to capture any handshakes.

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Ramesh - June 18, 2017

I just got mines today. I bought the tplink from amazon. It has ar9271 chipset and its working awesome. my friend bought his from another site and it turned out to be fake. Careful where u buy it from.

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William - July 22, 2017

Excellent info, thankful for this. I use the tp-link myself. I also use the Alfa awus051nh, and a Hawking stick (ralink RT3070) After reading this, I think I’ll pick up your recommended Alfa for a good range radio, and I have the Alfa 7dbi panel antenna arriving tomorrow. I’m also really eying the AWUS036ACH

Here’s one for you. When using my Alfa awus051nh on a Kali VM, it’s just fine. When using it plugged into a Raspberry Pi 3, it takes a total poop when testing injection. Finding one AP, and failing.

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Aaa - December 24, 2017

Yes. Yes. Just read the manual if you want to figure out how to do it, or take a class. v1 supports injection, v2 doesn’t, but it certainly supports monitor mode. Every chipset out there that is supported by linux supports monitor mode.

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dewac - March 26, 2018

I own a TP Link WN722N v1 by now. Unfortunately I could not get running it on KL 2018.1 latest version. KL does not recognize it. So I am far away of testing it with packet injection and monitor mode what should work properly I read on several blogs. Could anybody give a solution to it?

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brandon - August 20, 2018

I just returned AWUS036ACH , in exchange for AWUS036NHA.

As the 36ACH had terrible driver issues, Packet injection worked 1/2 time. I used the drivers in Kali’s repo and airmon-ng / kismet did not work . I then used aircrack’s drivers that they released, had packet injection problems.

I’m sure in time the 36ACH will be rock solid , until then I will go with 36NHA .

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Oliver - February 24, 2019

Hi, I am currently very interested in the TP-Link Archer T9UH AC1900, but I cannot find much information if it supports injection mode. According to the Tplink website, both revisions (v1 and v2) should support monitor mode in Linux kernels 2.6.18 ~ 4.4.6.